FacebookTwitter
Hatrack River Forum   
my profile login | search | faq | forum home

  next oldest topic   next newest topic
» Hatrack River Forum » Active Forums » Books, Films, Food and Culture » Romantic Fantasy?

   
Author Topic: Romantic Fantasy?
Xan
Member
Member # 9015

 - posted      Profile for Xan   Email Xan         Edit/Delete Post 
Yo

Well, after a long period of giving up reading Fantasy, i have decided to start again and hope you will suggest some good books please?

First i'll give a basic outline of likes and dislikes in Fantasy.


I like Romance in my fantasy, but i dislike it the way most Fantasy books have the two parners tiptoeing or separated for all but roughly 6% of the book/s.
Whether the woman is molested or goes on a seperate journey something ALWAYS seems to happen to slip the couple up. and after the 20th time this happened it has started to become something i loath.

I like the main character to be a young male in his teens, be it 14-19, as i have always had trouble identifying with female main characters and older main characters.
I dont have the life experiance to get in the head of a 25+ vetran warrior.

I dont mind cliches, some hate them but i sometimes find them to improve a story.

I like my main character to not undergo some bizzar physical changes and/or swap bodies with some being or other.
Is it so much to ask that a character that starts out a normal human DOESNT end up looking like another man or an elf by the end?


Does anyone know any stories that fit those please?

Its so hard to find Fantasy i actually like; its one of the main reasons i'm writing my own.

I really had hope for the Eragon books; exept not only now in the second book is the main character unrecognisable physically, he is seperated from the woman he loves like is used in so many fantasy books for the simple fact that if they had time toghether any more than a few pages it would be resolved.
It isnt making me look forward to them eventually meeting; its making me cranky, i can NOT have a girlfriend in real life, i dont really want to read about a FANTASY character having the same problems; just kiss her damnit!!!

*takes a deep breath*

As you can tell i have specific tastes and am very passionate about my books ;_;

Please can someone save me?

Posts: 67 | Registered: Jan 2006  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
TL
Member
Member # 8124

 - posted      Profile for TL   Email TL         Edit/Delete Post 
I had a bit of a romantic fantasy on the walk home from work tonight. In it, a beautiful single mother approaches me... She has two boys. The Dad is... I dunno. Maybe a drunk. Anyway, the woman finds herself drawn to me, under the spell of a power she cannot understand or deny. It isn't like her to be so forward, but she thought maybe we recognized something in each other during that instant when we made eye contact.

I'm impressed with her physical appearance, impressed with her interest in me, and impressed with the way she's made her way in the world under some difficult circumstances.

She has lovely green eyes. She asks me if I'm interested in marriage and truthfully I answer yes. I want to have a family. She says she already has two sons. I ask her if she wants two more.

And then there is a moment when we both realize that this conversation is ridiculous. We don't even know each other. And then we laugh.

But our hands are touching. There's an honesty about it. Not even sure how it happened, but neither of us is self-conscious; now we're holding hands.

etc

I didn't read the original post in this thread, by the way. Sorry.

Posts: 2267 | Registered: May 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Xan
Member
Member # 9015

 - posted      Profile for Xan   Email Xan         Edit/Delete Post 
...

Well, that was random.

Ah well, whats life without the ocasional random moment?

Posts: 67 | Registered: Jan 2006  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Eaquae Legit
Member
Member # 3063

 - posted      Profile for Eaquae Legit   Email Eaquae Legit         Edit/Delete Post 
My best suggestion is "Outlander" by Diana Gabaldon. The criteria doesn't fit perfectly: the main character is female, though she spends the majority of her time with the main male character, who is relatively young as I recall. There's definite romance and they do spend the majority of the novel together. Plus it was just a really great book.

It's all I gots, sorry. Good romances about teenage boys are hard to come by.

Posts: 2849 | Registered: Feb 2002  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Shan
Member
Member # 4550

 - posted      Profile for Shan           Edit/Delete Post 
I'm not sure "Outlander" is one I'd recommend to a teen to read . . .

Read books by Anne McCaffery. Lessa gets decisively kissed in "Dragonflight."

*reads TL's post*

*raises eyebrows*

That's very sweet, you know.

[Smile]

Edited to add: I see Xan is a teen in college (fom another post), so I probably would not worry about above recommendation, except with the caveat of letting Xan know that Diane G. can get pretty intense and descriptive, and towards the end there's some sexual violence that may be very uncomfortable for you to read, Xan. *shrugs*

[ January 08, 2006, 09:02 AM: Message edited by: Shan ]

Posts: 5609 | Registered: Jan 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Theaca
Member
Member # 8325

 - posted      Profile for Theaca   Email Theaca         Edit/Delete Post 
Catherine Asaro is supposed to be known for her romantic fantasy. I've only read a couple books, but I really liked one of them. Most are in a big series, however, with family trees extending from book to book. Still, worth looking at, I'd say. Many are written with a male main character.

Lois McMaster Bujold has some crossover into romance as well. In fact, that's how I found Asaro, by reading about people comparing the two. Most of Bujold's works are more scifi space opera (but very very good, witty space opera! I love them!) and her wonderful trilogy of fantasy she just finished is excellent. Romantic fantasy, definitely. The main character in the first book is male, but older, more experienced, heart-weary. But all the other lead characters in book I are much younger than him.

[ January 08, 2006, 09:33 AM: Message edited by: Theaca ]

Posts: 1014 | Registered: Jul 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Xan
Member
Member # 9015

 - posted      Profile for Xan   Email Xan         Edit/Delete Post 
Hmmm some intresting suggestions, thanks a lot [Smile]

No worries about content; at 18 i'm a legal adult in the UK, and i'v been reading Fantasy for 7 years, much of it 'very descriptive'.

As many people like Anne McCaffery, i have to say i dont actually like her work too much.
Its unfortunate because from what i have read her characters do stay around eachother a lot.

I'll be sure to look in on these suggestions; and i dont mind Sci-Fi. [Smile]

Keep them coming please hehe.

Posts: 67 | Registered: Jan 2006  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Belle
Member
Member # 2314

 - posted      Profile for Belle   Email Belle         Edit/Delete Post 
Your criteria is too rigid, I can't think of anything. [Frown]
Posts: 14428 | Registered: Aug 2001  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Storm Saxon
Member
Member # 3101

 - posted      Profile for Storm Saxon           Edit/Delete Post 
You just can't go wrong with John Norman's Gor books.
Posts: 13123 | Registered: Feb 2002  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
oolung
Member
Member # 8995

 - posted      Profile for oolung   Email oolung         Edit/Delete Post 
Read Robin Hobb's "The Assassin's Apprentice"! Please, please, read it! [Smile]
Posts: 218 | Registered: Jan 2006  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
R. Ann Dryden
Member
Member # 8186

 - posted      Profile for R. Ann Dryden   Email R. Ann Dryden         Edit/Delete Post 
Well, as soon as I've found a publisher for "Outleaf" I think you'll find it is right up your alley.

Genre: technically sci-fi but it has a fantasy feel.
MC: teenage male age 15-17 in the story.

Romance: Hmm. This is a bit tougher, not because he can't get a girl but because for much of the novel he is banished in exile from his home, and the only companions are avian aliens. But since I haven't finished the final draft, I suppose I can try to put some kissing in somewhere [Big Grin] .

But if it doesn't absolutely have to have romance, this very well may work for you.

Basic concept: colony planet out of touch with the rest of the civilized universe. Sentient trees provide homes for people. My MC is the son of the main Speaker to the Tree, and very jealous of his father's attentions, feels his father loves the Tree much more than his son. Gets involved in a cult that hates the Trees out of spite.

Obviously my MC grows up maturity wise by the end of the book, but not before he has to deal with the consequences of his actions.

But the perks are there are some way cool aliens on this planet [Big Grin] that are fun to write and (I hope) read about.

Posts: 180 | Registered: Jun 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Alcon
Member
Member # 6645

 - posted      Profile for Alcon   Email Alcon         Edit/Delete Post 
Hmm... oh my, your description of what you hate brought one specific set of books to mind... Terry Goodkind's "Sword of Truth" series. I'm addicted to the series, becuase I love the characters and the writing style. But its a love/hate relationship, becuase each book is a repeat story of the previous on a grander scale. And I'm so sick of seeing poor Richard and Kahlan tortured like that.

A series you might like is David Gemmell's "Rigante Series". Its not really romantic fantasy, the focus isn't on the romantic relationships. But they are there, and all your minuses definately don't happen. That aside they're just great books, I'm surprised I don't hear about them more often. The first book in the series is called "The Sword in the Storm"

Posts: 3295 | Registered: Jun 2004  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Evie3217
Member
Member # 5426

 - posted      Profile for Evie3217   Email Evie3217         Edit/Delete Post 
Am I the only one who thought this thread was going to be kinky?

*looks up* I guess not.

Posts: 1789 | Registered: Jul 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
ambyr
Member
Member # 7616

 - posted      Profile for ambyr           Edit/Delete Post 
Assassin's Apprentice, while an excellent book, is pretty much the exact opposite of what Xan seems to be looking for, given that the main character gets to be happy pretty much, well, never. Also, there is body switching (okay, later in the series).

Maybe Patricia C. Wrede's Talking to Dragons? The earlier books in the series have a female protagonist, but that one's got a male lead, and I think it stands pretty well on its own.

David Eddings (Pawn of Prophecy, to start) also comes to mind. Garion's the right age range. Admittedly, he's separated from his love interest for part of the first series, but I seem to recall them travelling together for most of the second series, if you can get past that.

Posts: 650 | Registered: Mar 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
ambyr
Member
Member # 7616

 - posted      Profile for ambyr           Edit/Delete Post 
Oh, and maybe Sean Stewart's Nobody's Son. Right age range, couple is together almost the entire book, male protagonist, don't remember any body swapping.
Posts: 650 | Registered: Mar 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
blacwolve
Member
Member # 2972

 - posted      Profile for blacwolve   Email blacwolve         Edit/Delete Post 
I second David Eddings and Lois McMaster Bujold. I also think you'd like Tamora Pierce Alanna: The First Adventure crappy title, great book. The main character is female, but from what you've said I think you'd like it anyway.
Posts: 4655 | Registered: Jan 2002  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
LadyDove
Member
Member # 3000

 - posted      Profile for LadyDove   Email LadyDove         Edit/Delete Post 
Card's Homebody fits your criteria pretty well, though there is a bit of body switching. The Alvin series is also a good fit, though the romantic couple may not spend as much time together as you would like.

As a caution though, I would steer away from writing a book about couples unless you have alot of experience in being part of a couple. Look at Christopher Paolini's series; he's a good, young writer, but falls down flat when he trys to write the romantic parts. He just doesn't have the experience to make his dialogues believable.

Posts: 2425 | Registered: Jan 2002  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Xan
Member
Member # 9015

 - posted      Profile for Xan   Email Xan         Edit/Delete Post 
Wow, thanks a ton, this is a nice ammount of stuff [Big Grin]

I know it will sound weird, but please keep em coming, the more i have to look into the longer i have til i'm bored again [Smile]

Terry Goodkind's "Sword of Truth" series

Robin Hobb's "The Assassin's Apprentice"

Hehe, read both: RH:tAA is a good series, though not what i'm looking for and TG:SoT i have read too and is what i ment when i had read other 'graphic' Fantasy haha

R. Ann Dryden: Sounds intresting, i hope you find a publisher soon [Smile]

LadyDove: Thanks for those, i get what you mean but really i dont have much choice; being a hopeless romantic my character interaction is gunna be the most important part of my book, i wouldnt be happy with my own story if i didnt at least attempt the romance.

I agree i dont have enough experiance in the matter, thats why neither of my characters do, and i hope by the time they are supposed to be used to being in a relationship i will be in one and learning along with them.

Plus its Fantasy; so long as it isnt SW: AotC unbeleivable i'll be okay [Razz]

I 'like' Paolini's work but he has disapointed me on the romance area; but when his characters met it turned into another 'seperation' romance.
Plus the Elf girl is a bit of a pain.

Posts: 67 | Registered: Jan 2006  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Juxtapose
Member
Member # 8837

 - posted      Profile for Juxtapose   Email Juxtapose         Edit/Delete Post 
George RR Martin - A Game of Thrones
Posts: 2907 | Registered: Nov 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
TomDavidson
Member
Member # 124

 - posted      Profile for TomDavidson   Email TomDavidson         Edit/Delete Post 
quote:

As you can tell i have specific tastes...

I would use the word "narrow" here. Have you considered broadening those horizons?
Posts: 37449 | Registered: May 1999  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Evie3217
Member
Member # 5426

 - posted      Profile for Evie3217   Email Evie3217         Edit/Delete Post 
My thought is, how can it be interesting if you know the plot line already? Isn't the point of books to broaden your horizons and branch out? That's what I love about variety.
Posts: 1789 | Registered: Jul 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Xan
Member
Member # 9015

 - posted      Profile for Xan   Email Xan         Edit/Delete Post 
Yes, thats why i read a Lot of Star Wars books, historical fiction, Japanese comics and have a bookshelf full of people i'v never heard of on the offchance the books will be good.

If you would use the word 'Narrow' may i suggest another? 'Tact', or you could just flat out insult me by saying the full phrase and call me 'Narrow Minded'

Posts: 67 | Registered: Jan 2006  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
TomDavidson
Member
Member # 124

 - posted      Profile for TomDavidson   Email TomDavidson         Edit/Delete Post 
I don't have any reason to think you're narrow-minded, actually. I just think -- and here I'm going to go into snobbish Irami mode for a second -- that you might find fantasy to be a more rewarding genre if you sought out works that didn't precisely meet your criteria.

I understand what you're saying -- and why you're making the request you are -- but can't help wondering whether it'll really satisfy. IMO, it's rather like commencing a search for a girlfriend by declaring that you're only looking for blue-eyed brunettes no taller than 5'8", between the ages of 16-22, who are familiar with the Dead Parrot Sketch.

Posts: 37449 | Registered: May 1999  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Xan
Member
Member # 9015

 - posted      Profile for Xan   Email Xan         Edit/Delete Post 
Hahahahahaha

I get you, and honestly i'm not usally this specific, i just feel the need to read a few books like this and seem to be unable to find them myself.

I'm just a hopeless romantic who feels that a large ammount of fantasy seems to avoid the subject as much as possible.

Looking for a Magic Jem to save the World is all well and good; but character interaction is what i look for in a story.

You know what? i think my problem may actually be less what i stated above than i feel that good characters are hard to find?

Well, exept the body swapping, that i tend to feel makes a character no longer fully themselves.

Posts: 67 | Registered: Jan 2006  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
JennaDean
Member
Member # 8816

 - posted      Profile for JennaDean   Email JennaDean         Edit/Delete Post 
I really liked OSC's Enchantment; since it's the story of Sleeping Beauty it has a good share of romance. No story is interesting with NO problems, so of course the couple have their problems getting together; but they're definitely TOGETHER the whole book.

It starts out with a younger boy/teen, but I think the main part of the story he's doing post-graduate work - young 20's. Perhaps a little old for your taste, but not too far out there. And he's definitely lacking experience, so that may make up for the age!

Posts: 1522 | Registered: Nov 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Juxtapose
Member
Member # 8837

 - posted      Profile for Juxtapose   Email Juxtapose         Edit/Delete Post 
I always liked the Drangonlance Saga. It's not huge on romance, but the relationships between the characters are really interesting, especially Caramon and Raistlin, in my opinion. It's targeted more towards highschoolers, I think, but even if you're in college, still a good read. I'd stick to the books by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman though. Also, start with Dragons of Autumn Twilight.
Posts: 2907 | Registered: Nov 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Theaca
Member
Member # 8325

 - posted      Profile for Theaca   Email Theaca         Edit/Delete Post 
Oh, Janny Wurts writes fantasy, does her own illustrations. I've only read 2-3 of her books, because several are in a series that wasn't finished at the time, but I just love her first book, Sorcerer's Legacy. I'd call that romantic fantasy, definitely.

Here's a list:
http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/w/janny-wurts/

Posts: 1014 | Registered: Jul 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Lupus
Member
Member # 6516

 - posted      Profile for Lupus   Email Lupus         Edit/Delete Post 
Redemption of Athalus by David Eddings.
Posts: 1901 | Registered: May 2004  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Black Mage
Member
Member # 5800

 - posted      Profile for Black Mage           Edit/Delete Post 
Hey Evie, I expected some kinky too. Don't worry. You're not alone.

*hands Evie handcuffs*

Posts: 767 | Registered: Oct 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Raventhief
Member
Member # 9002

 - posted      Profile for Raventhief   Email Raventhief         Edit/Delete Post 
Sean McMullen's Greatwinter Trilogy has a lot of different main characters, male, female, young and old.

Sara Douglas' Wayfarer's Redemption might be a decent series for you. The main character is older, but not a lot and is still pretty naive.

Posts: 354 | Registered: Jan 2006  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
oolung
Member
Member # 8995

 - posted      Profile for oolung   Email oolung         Edit/Delete Post 
hmmm and maybe you'd like the Tales of the Otori trilogy by Lian Hearn (the first volume: Across the nightingale floor). It's not what you'd call a typical fantasy: it's very very Japanese style, but it's got everything you ask for: a very young hero, true love (ok, so they are parted most of the time, but it's not done in a very cliche way), and there ARE bizarre body changes!
Posts: 218 | Registered: Jan 2006  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
   

   Close Topic   Feature Topic   Move Topic   Delete Topic next oldest topic   next newest topic
 - Printer-friendly view of this topic
Hop To:


Contact Us | Hatrack River Home Page

Copyright © 2008 Hatrack River Enterprises Inc. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.


Powered by Infopop Corporation
UBB.classic™ 6.7.2